Emperor Hao Enters the Forbidden City

My new little brother is sometimes quick to express his disapproval when he doesn't get what he wants right away. On those occasions, we refer to him as Emperor Hao. This came to mind when we were carrying him across the uneven sloped cobblestones into the Forbidden City. Being winter, there wasn't much of a crowd with which to contend. The Emperor used to live in the Forbidden City and it is huge! We walked, and walked, and walked. Did I mention that we walked a lot and the Forbidden City is enormous? Even in the dead of winter the gardens are amazing with the layout of the statuaries, various pagodas, carvings, and paintings. Did I also fail to mention that it is freezing here in the winter? Hannah, Merriella, and I took some time to take a picture on the "Bridge of Harmony!"

Pop Quiz for Today: How many people can fit in a Chinese subway car? Ans: do the 3 taboos: stop, stare, and point. Our family must not look like the average Chinese family. Sometimes they even ask to take pictures with us. Dad once responded that he would do it, but the it was going to cost them 10 yuan (which is the equivalent of $1.50). The Chinese were stunned when he said that. Then he told them he was kidding and took a picture with them. My dad especially enjoys taking snapshots with crowds of people in the background staring at us. The Chinese people are very pleasant though and are quick to exchange smiles with us as we all work to communicate with gestures and mutually recognizable words. Dad's Chinese hasn't improved much in the past 2 years. He stillThere's always room for 10 more! Everywhere we go, people will can't speak Chinese. When he tells souvenir hawkers "no" they come on even stronger. He must have what Abraham Lincoln called the "yes" face.

Translations from foreign languages are not always crystal clear. In the supermarket, "nourish food" means vitamins. If you go in the "perfume" aisle, you'll find air fresheners for your bathroom, kitchen, or basement. At the swimming pool, a sign says, "no frolic." We're confident that means horseplay is strictly forbidden. Of course, the Emperor could do anything he wants in the Forbidden City. In the above picture, we are staring at a sign that says, "do not pick the flowers." There's only one problem there are no flowers! Not to worry, we left the dirt intact.

By the way, Merriella and Cory are doing quite well with each other. Their colds are much improved. Cory is quite the little trooper. He is very attached to his "ma-ma" and doesn't appreciate it when she leaves the room without telling him where she is going! Cory has been quite the addition to our family and we look forward to introducing him to all of you. He is truly a little angel! Merriella and Cory love playing together and Merriella's eating habits have actually improved since we have gotten Cory. They have developed a game that motivates them both to eat. One won't start unless the other has taken a bite. Merriella quickly takes the lead and takes the first bite so that Cory will begin to eat.